Tree stand

ABSTRACT

A tree stand including a retaining collar. The collar has a pair of hingedly connected body segments for encircling a tree trunk and a number of clamps for grasping the tree trunk encircled by the body segments. At least one of the clamps is attached to each of the body segments. A number of braces is releasably fastened to the body segments of the collar and radiate outwardly from the collar. A number of decking plates, upon which one or more hunters can stand, is releasably fastened to the braces and is supported by the braces. A number of chairs, upon which an equal number of hunters can sit, is releasably fastened to the decking plates.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fire escapes, ladders, scaffolds, and, more particularly, to scaffolds external of a shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The hunting laws of most states require that minors hunt with a responsible adult. These laws further mandate that the adult remain so close to the minor that he can take control of the minor's weapon at any time that the safety of the minor or other people is jeopardized. Fulfilling the obligations imposed by these laws is difficult when hunting is done from tree stands.

Most tree stands are small, accommodating only one hunter. So, when hunting with a minor, a pair of tree stands must usually be suspended from one tree—a cumbersome, and time-consuming process—to provide the adult hunter with access to the weapon of the minor. Unfortunately, one-man tree stands do not permit hunters to freely move about or allow unobstructed views of approaching game animals and people. Thus, with movement and visibility being limited, safety is reduced when an adult and a minor hunt from conventional tree stands positioned near one another on the same tree.

Buddy stands, usually accommodating two hunters, have been proposed to overcome some of the drawbacks posed by conventional tree stands. For maximum strength, ladders serve as the base for most buddy stands. Ladders, however, are limited in terms of their height and the weight that can be cantilevered from them. Therefore, buddy stands are compact in size, holding the hunters closely together, and short in stature, limiting the ability of hunters to see game animals downrange and effectively aim weapons at these animals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the problems associated with the known tree stands, it is a principal object of my invention to provide a tree stand that is roomy and that provides safe and comfortable seating around the periphery of a supporting tree for up to six hunters of any age and stature. My tree stand also provides generous amounts of floor space for the storage of foodstuffs and other hunting provisions. If desired, one or more hunters can fully recline upon my tree stand.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a tree stand of the type described that permits the free and easy movement of hunters using it. Existing tree stands limit the movements of users to either standing or sitting. With my tree stand, a hunter can move about. If the need arises, he can: step, reach, stretch, pivot, or slide into a new position to take control of the weapon of a minor, or to get out of the wind or rain or the line of sight of an approaching game animal. To make a clean shot, a hunter can quietly move to a location that optimizes the likelihood of a kill.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tree stand of the type described that accommodates nature photographers and videographers and their camera gear in a comfortable manner. Flora and fauna can be easily viewed from the tree stand.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tree stand of the type described that can be securely mounted upon a tree at any height. Unlike existing tree stands that employ relatively weak chains, cables, straps, or ladders for mounting purposes, my tree stand features a reinforced, retaining collar that fully encircles and grabs a tree trunk. My stand can easily support the weight of six adult or adolescent hunters.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a deer stand that is versatile and can be selectively constructed to support either a single hunter or: two hunters, three hunters, four hunters, five hunters, or six hunters. The modular nature of my tree stand permits some installations, where one or a few hunters will use the stand, to proceed at a very rapid pace.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a tree stand that can be set up and used without resort to other tools or prolonged periods of training. The tree stand, it is believed, is intuitive to use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tree stand with interchangeable parts that can be shared with like stands. Thus, with my tree stand, a hunter can pre-position several retaining collars on tree trunks in desirable hunting locations and transport one or more, lightweight, decking plates and support braces (the number largely being a function of seating and floor space requirements) from one collar to the next in the pursuit of game animals. When arriving at a collared tree, the hunter can position the braces and decking plates to face in any direction. Known tree stands, being difficult to move, must be laboriously put up and taken down as a single unit.

Handrails are an optional feature of my tree stand. Not only do handrails minimize the likelihood that a hunter will fall from the stand, but serve as a gun rest or a hunting blind/windbreak when covered with a tarp. In emergency situations, a tarp can be draped over my tree stand to provide shelter.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved features and arrangements thereof in a tree stand for the purposes described that is lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and dependable in use.

Briefly, the tree stand in accordance with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a retaining collar having a pair of hingedly connected body segments for encircling a tree trunk and a number of clamps for grasping the tree trunk encircled by the body segments. At least one clamp is respectively attached to each of the body segments. A number of braces is releasably fastened to the body segments of the collar and radiate outwardly from the collar. A number of decking plates, upon which one or more hunters can stand, is releasably fastened to the braces and is supported by the braces. A number of chairs, upon which an equal number of hunters can sit, is releasably fastened to the decking plates. A number of handrails members is also releasably fastened to the decking plates.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the tree stand as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be more readily described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, from below, of a tree stand embodying my present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, from above, of the tree stand of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view, from above, of a portion of the tree stand, namely the retaining collar supporting three outwardly radiating braces upon two of which one decking plate rests.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the braces of the tree stand.

FIG. 5 is a second, enlarged, perspective view, from above, of a portion of the tree stand, namely the retaining collar supporting three outwardly radiating braces upon two of which one decking plate rests and with one of the braces being partially broken away.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, perspective view from below, of one of the decking plates of the tree stand.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, top view of the retaining collar of the tree stand.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view of the key of the tree stand.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TREE STAND

Referring now to the FIGS., a tree stand in accordance with the present invention is shown at 10. Tree stand 10 includes a retaining collar 12 that encircles and grasps a tree trunk 14. A plurality of braces 16 is releasably fastened to collar 12 and radiates outwardly therefrom. A plurality of decking plates 18, upon which one or more hunters can stand, is releasably fastened to braces 16 and is supported thereby. A plurality of chairs 20, upon which a plurality of hunters can sit, is releasably fastened to decking plates 18 as is a plurality of handrail members 22.

Retaining collar 12 has a tubular body 24 with open top and bottom ends. A first peripheral flange 26 extends outwardly from the top of the tubular body 24 and is provided with six, evenly spaced-apart apertures 28 for engagement with braces 16. A second peripheral flange 30 extends outwardly from the bottom of the tubular body 24. Flange 30 is provided with six, evenly spaced-apart apertures 32 for engagement with braces 16 that are is vertically aligned with a respective one of apertures 28. As shown, both of apertures 28 and 32 are flanked and surrounded by reinforcing enclosures 34 and 36 formed by the respective thickening of flanges 26 and 30 immediately adjacent apertures 28 and 32.

Tubular body 24 is provided with a plurality of rectangular openings 38 and 40 about its periphery that accommodates an equal number of clamps 42. Three openings 38 are located proximate first flange 26 and are positioned between alternating pair of apertures 28 at 120° intervals around tubular body 24. Three openings 40 are located proximate second flange 30 and are positioned between alternating pair of apertures 28, that do not flank openings 38, at 120° intervals around tubular body 24.

Tubular body 24 and its associated flanges 26 and 30 are bisected into a pair of body segments 44 and 46 having C-shaped cross-sections when viewed from above. Body segment 44 possesses three pairs of axially aligned apertures 28 and 32, two openings 38, and one opening 40. Body segment 46, on the other hand, has three pairs of axially aligned apertures 28 and 32, two openings 40, and one opening 38. Thus, body segments 44 and 46 are not mirror images of one another but are configured to provide the optimum stability in the mounting of tree stand 10.

At one end of each body segment 44 and 46, a first rib 48 is affixed to tubular body 24 so as extend from flange 26 to flange 30. At the opposite end of each segment 44 and 46, a second rib 50 is affixed to tubular body 24 so as to extend from flange 26 to flange 30. When body segments 44 and 46 are pressed together, ribs 48 and 50 are so positioned as to abut one another.

A piano hinge 52 connects ribs 48 of body segments 44 and 46 together. Hinge 52 permits body segments 44 and 46 to pivot relative to one another in a clamshell-like manner. When body segments 44 and 46 are selectively pivoted to an open position, collar 12 can be positioned around tree trunk 14.

Each of ribs 50 is provided with a plurality of keyhole slots 54. Each slot 54 is relatively wider at its top than at its bottom for retaining a key 56, described hereinbelow, under the influence of gravity. When segments 44 and 46 are pivoted to a closed position where ribs 50 abut one another, slots 54 register or align with one another for easy engagement with key 56.

Key 56 selectively holds ribs 50 together so as to prevent body segments 44 and 46 from pivoting relative to one another. Key 56 includes a locking bar 58, having a somewhat shorter length than ribs 50, and a handlebar 60, having a length equal to that of locking bar 58 and carrying a loop-type handle 62, is joined at right angles to locking bar 58. A plurality of pins 64, each having an enlarged head 66 at the free end thereof, is affixed to locking bar 58 and extends at right angles therefrom.

Pins 64 are adapted for passage through the registered keyhole slots 54 in ribs 50. Heads 66, however, are sized to slide through the wide, top parts of keyhole slots 54 yet be impeded by the narrow, bottom parts of keyhole slots 54. Thus, locking body segments 44 and 46 together to prevent relative pivoting requires that heads 66 first be passed fully through the top parts of registered keyhole slots 54 and then be pushed downwardly so that the narrow parts of slots 54 prevent the return passage of heads 66. Of course, the disengagement of key 56 from ribs 50, to permit the relative pivoting of body segments 44 and 46, is accomplished by pulling upwardly and outwardly on handle 62 so as to bring heads 66 through the wide parts of slots 54.

Locking ribs 50 together can be accomplished by means other than key 56. For example, nuts and bolts can be substituted for key 56. While this is a less costly locking means, it requires that a hunter, who may already be loaded down with gear, carry a wrench with him into the woods for fastener tightening purposes. Thus, other locking means may not be as convenient as key 56.

A plurality of clamps 42 is affixed to tubular body 24 for engagement with tree trunk 14. As shown, one clamp 42 is associated with each of the openings 38 and 40. Thus, each of body segments 44 and 46 has three, radially positioned clamps 42. Segment 44 has two clamps 42 associated with openings 38 and one clamp 42 associated with an opening 40. Segment 46, however, has two clamps 42 at openings 40 and one clamp 42 at an opening 38.

Each clamp 42 has a bridge plate 68 that is affixed at its top and at its bottom to tubular body 24 such that it partially covers one of openings 38 or 40. Each bridge plate 68 is somewhat narrower than the opening 38 and 40 with which it is associated and defines a pair of elongated, vertical channels 70 through tubular body 24. One of channels 70 is positioned on each of the opposite sides of a bridge plate 68 and is, in effect, one of the opposite sides of an opening 38 or 40.

The central portion of each bridge plate 68, directly covering an opening 38 or 40, bulges outwardly from tubular body 24. Each bulge forms a concavity 72 adjacent an opening 38 or 40 that improves the operation of a clamp 42 as will be described more fully hereinbelow. The center of each bridge plate 68 is provided with a bore 74 that provides access to the adjacent cavity 72.

Each clamp 42 features an internally threaded sleeve 76. Preferably, each sleeve 76 is axially aligned with a bore 74 and serves as an extension thereof. Sleeve 76 is affixed to the outer surface of a bridge plate 68 and outside of cavity 72. Alternatively, bridge plate 68 could be formed from “thick” material and bore 74 could be internally threaded.

Each clamp 42 has a thumbscrew 78 with a helically threaded rod 80 that screws into sleeve 76. A broad, flat knob 82 is affixed to the outer end of each rod 80 to facilitate the turning of a thumbscrew 78 with the thumb and fingers. The inner end of each rod 80 is unthreaded and is provided with a pair of closely spaced, radial projections or shoulders 84.

Every clamp 42 has a carrier plate 86 that is fastened to the inner end of each threaded rod 80 between shoulders 84. Fastening is afforded by providing each carrier plate 86 with a hole 88 at its center. Each hole 88 is sufficiently large so as to provide for the smooth rotation of rod 80 therein yet is sufficiently small so as to prevent the passage of shoulders 84 through a hole 88. The height and width of a carrier plate 86 is somewhat smaller than that of openings 38 and 40 so that a carrier plate 86 can slide through an opening 38 or 40 when the associated thumbscrew 78 is rotated.

Each carrier plate 86 is fastened to a U-shaped carriage 90. Each carriage 90 includes a pair of spaced-apart jaw plates 92 connected together at their respective outer ends by a crosspiece 94. Each crosspiece 94 has a passage 96 at its center through which a threaded rod 80 can extend and rotate freely. The inner ends of the jaw plates 92 are serrated and provided with teeth as at 98 for gripping tree trunk 14. The opposite sides of carrier plate 86 are affixed to the inner ends of the jaw plates 92 of a particular carriage 90 immediately rearward of teeth 98.

Each carriage 90 is disposed such that jaw plates 92 slide freely within the channels 70 flanking a bridge plate 68. When a thumbscrew 78 is rotated in one direction, the associated carriage 90 is moved inwardly to drive teeth 98 toward, and into, tree trunk 14. The abutment of its crosspiece 94 with a bridge plate 68 stops continued inward movement of a carriage 90. By carefully controlling the length of jaw plates 92, a maker of tree stand 10 can effectively set the minimum diameter of tree trunk 14 to which tree stand 10 can be affixed and provide an ample safety margin for users. When a thumbscrew 78, however, is rotated in the opposite direction, the associated carriage 90 is moved outwardly to retract teeth 98 from a tree trunk 14. The outward movement of a carriage 90 is stopped when carrier plate 86 abuts the inner surface of a bridge plate 68.

Tree stand 10 includes a half dozen braces 16, one being associated with each vertically disposed pair of apertures 28 and 32. Each brace 16 is triangular in outline and includes a vertical member 100 adapted for positioning at its top within an aperture 28 and adapted for positioning at its bottom in an aperture 32. The inner end of a horizontal member 102 is affixed to the top of vertical member 100 and is cantilevered therefrom. A diagonal member 104 is affixed at its bottom to the bottom of vertical member 100 and is affixed at its top to the outer, free end of horizontal member 102. A webbing plate 106 is affixed within the area bounded by members 100, 102 and 104 for reinforcement purposes.

Two pairs of sockets 108 and 110 are provided to each horizontal member 102. The first pair of sockets 108 is disposed at the inner end of each horizontal member 102 with one of the sockets 108 being respectively located on each side of the horizontal member 102. The second pair of sockets 110 is disposed at the outer end of each horizontal member 102 with one of the sockets 110 being respectively located on each side of the horizontal member 102.

Six decking plates 18 are provided to tree stand 10 and each is adapted to rest upon an adjacent pair of braces 16. As such, each decking plate 18 has a shape that resembles a segment of a wide and flat ring with the inner diameter of the ring being close to that of the outer diameter of peripheral flange 26 and the outer diameter of the ring being the distance from the center of collar 12 to the outer end of a brace 16. Each decking plate 18 has sides that diverge at an angle of 60° and, when the decking plate 18 is properly positioned atop an adjacent pair of braces 16, these sides extend down the middle of the associated horizontal members 102.

To maintain each decking plate 18 in its proper position upon and between a pair of braces 16, each decking plate 18 is provided with a pair of alignment pins 112 and 114 along each side thereof. Each pin 112 extends from the bottom of a decking plate 18 and is adapted for positioning in a socket 108 that is located on the side of a horizontal member 102 upon which the decking plate 18 rests. Also, each pin 114 extends from the bottom of a decking plate 18 and is adapted for positioning in a socket 110 that is located on the side of a horizontal member 102 upon which the decking plate 18 rests.

A plurality of openings extends through each decking plate 18. The first of these is a socket 116 that is provided between pins 112 for receiving the seat post 118 of a chair 20. One of a pair of passageways 120 is located adjacent a respective one of pins 114 to receive a stanchion 122 of handrail member 22.

For maximum strength and minimum weight, each decking plate 18 is provided with a latticework of downwardly projecting ribs 124. Ribs 124 are shown to extend around the periphery of each decking plate 18 and they also surround socket 116 and passageways 120. Additionally, ribs 124 pass between, and connect, the peripheral ones. While the pattern of ribs 124 shown in the drawings can provide a decking plate 18, molded from lightweight plastic, that can support loads of hundreds of pounds, the pattern chosen is a matter of engineering design choice and can be varied, or eliminated, as a maker sees fit.

Tree stand 10 is provided with six chairs 20 (with three chairs 20 being shown in the figures for the sake of drawing clarity) upon which an equal number of hunters can sit. Each chair 20 has a seat post 118 and a seat 126 affixed atop seat post 118. As illustrated, seat post 118 includes a bottom section 128 for snug insertion into a socket 116 in a decking plate 18. A retaining band 130 is affixed to bottom section 128 which serves to prevent the over-insertion of seat post 118 into decking plate 18 and to more evenly distribute the weight of one seated in a chair 20 to decking plate 18. A top section 132 is affixed to, and projects upwardly and outwardly from, each bottom section 128. A mounting plate 134 is affixed to the top of top section 132. A seat 126 is set atop each mounting plate 134 and is bolted, or otherwise affixed, thereto.

Tree stand 10 has three handrail members 22. Each of handrail members 22 has a pair of spaced-apart stanchions 122 that extend upwardly from a decking plate 18 and an arcuate handrail 136 affixed to the tops of stanchions 122. The bottoms of stanchions 122 are adapted for snug positioning in passageways 120 provided in a decking plate 18. To prevent the over-insertion of stanchions 122 into passageways 120 and to evenly distribute loads placed upon a handrail 136, a retaining band 138 is affixed to the bottom of each stanchion 122. During the normal use of tree stand 10, retaining bands rest directly atop decking plate 18. As shown, each handrail 136 has a radius of curvature that is the same as that of the outer edge of a decking plate 18. The length of each handrail 136 is twice the length of that of the outer edge of a decking plate 18. Thus, each handrail 136 spans an arc of 1200 or one-third the distance around the periphery of tree stand 10.

The safe use of tree stand 10 requires that a safe tree trunk 14 be located. Such a tree trunk is: free of visible decay. Tree trunks having diameters insufficient to support tree stand 10 when fully loaded cannot be grasped by clamps 42. Additionally, tree trunks 14 with diameters that are too large for use with tree stand 10 simply cannot be positioned within collar 12.

Once a suitable tree trunk 14 in a good location is selected, the set up and use of tree stand 10 on tree trunk 14 is straightforward. First, body segments 44 and 46 are temporarily pivoted to an open position and tree trunk 14, at the desired height above the ground, is positioned at the center of collar 12. Then, collar 12 is locked in place around tree trunk 14 by engaging key 56 with the keyhole slots 54 in ribs 50. Now, thumbscrews 78 of all clamps 42 are differentially tightened so as to drive teeth 98 into tree trunk 14 and to level collar 12.

Once collar 12 is attached to tree trunk 14, braces 16 are connected to it. Connection of each of the braces 16 to collar 12 is made by sliding the top of a vertical member 100 into an aperture 28 and, then, sliding the bottom of the vertical member 100 into the aperture 32 that is vertically aligned with aperture 28 holding the top of the vertical member 100. This step is repeated until all six of braces 16 are connected to collar 12. Gravity retains all of the braces 16 in place after connection is made.

Decking plates 18 are easily attached to braces 16. To do this, decking plates 18 are first positioned between each pair of adjacent braces 16, making sure that pins 112 align with sockets 108 and that pins 114 align with sockets 110. Then, with the application of a light downward force to the top of decking plates 18, pins 112 are inserted into sockets 108 and pins 114 are inserted into sockets 110. Gravity and friction hold pins 112 and 114 within sockets 108 and 110 after insertion has been accomplished.

Once decking plates 18 are connected to braces 16, chairs 20 are easily positioned. Simply put, with the top section 132 of each seat post 118 sloping upwardly and away from the center of tree stand 10, each bottom section 128 is inserted into one of the sockets 116 in decking plates 18. The over-insertion of bottom sections 128 into sockets 116 is prevented by retaining bands 130 that have a size that is greater than that of sockets 116. Gravity and friction secure the seat posts 118 to decking plates 18, after their engagement with sockets 116.

Handrail members 22 are easily added to the balance of tree stand 10 by inserting the bottoms of stanchions 122 into the passageways 120 in alternating decking plates 18. The over-insertion of stanchions 122 into passageways 120 is prevented by retaining bands 138 affixed to the bottom of stanchions 122 that have a size greater than that of passageways 120. Gravity and friction secure handrail members 22 to decking plates 18, after their engagement with passageways 120. Although not shown, means can be provided at the ends of arcuate handrails 136 to secure such together for minimizing the likelihood that a hunter will fall from tree stand 10.

Once installed on tree trunk 14, access to the tops of decking plates 18 can be safely gained. To do this, one of the alternating decking plates 18 which supports no stanchions 122 is pushed upwardly, detached from its supporting braces 16, and temporarily set aside. Then, a hunter climbs common tree steps or a stick ladder, or otherwise ascends tree trunk 14, so as to position himself upon the undisturbed decking plates 18. Finally, the detached decking plate 18 is returned to its original position.

When the use of tree stand 10 is no longer required, it can be quickly and easily removed from tree trunk 14 by reversing the steps described above for set up. The process for taking down tree stand 10 takes one person just a few minutes, roughly the same time required for set up. Regardless of whether or not tree stand 10 is being taken down or set up, no additional tools are needed. The disassembled tree stand 10 can be compactly stored upon the bed of a pickup truck or in a shed.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the use of tree stand 10 eliminates the need to hang two, conventional stands adjacent one another so that an adult can lawfully hunt with one or more children. While seated upon tree stand 10, the adult can easily reach over to lower the weapon of a child thereby maintaining control at all times. Tree stand 10 is safe, convenient, and pleasurable to use.

While my tree stand has been described with a high degree of particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to it. For example, the number of braces and decking plates can be raised so as to increase the loads that the tree stand can carry. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited solely to tree stand 10 described above, but encompasses any and all tree stands within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A tree stand, comprising: a retaining collar including: a pair of hingedly connected body segments for encircling a tree trunk; and, a plurality of clamps for grasping the tree trunk encircled by said body segments, at least one of said clamps being attached to each of said body segments; a plurality of braces being releasably fastened to said body segments of said collar and radiating outwardly therefrom; a plurality of decking plates, upon which one or more hunters can stand, being releasably fastened to said braces and being supported thereby; a plurality of chairs, upon which a plurality of hunters can sit, being releasably fastened to said decking plates.
 2. The tree stand according to claim 1 wherein each of said body segments respectively has a pair of vertical channels with a bridge plate being disposed between said vertical channels, said bridge plate being provided with an internally threaded opening in its center, and each of said clamps includes: a thumbscrew including: a threaded rod being screwed into said threaded opening, said rod having an outer end and inner end with said inner end being provided with a pair of closely spaced, radial shoulders; and, a knob being affixed to said outer end of said threaded rod; a carrier plate being carried on said threaded rod between said shoulders; a carriage having a pair of spaced-apart jaws being connected together by a crosspiece in a U-shaped arrangement, said jaws having inner ends being slidably disposed within said vertical channels, said inner ends of said jaws being provided with teeth for gripping a tree trunk, said inner ends of said jaws being affixed to said carrier plate, and said crosspiece being provided with a passage through which said threaded rod extends and freely rotates.
 3. The tree stand according to claim 1 wherein said collar further includes a pair of abutting ribs with one of said ribs being affixed to each of said body segments, each of said ribs being provided with a plurality of keyhole slots that are aligned with one another when said ribs abut; and said tree stand further comprises a key for locking said ribs in abutment with one another, said key including: a locking bar adapted for positioning against said ribs; and, a plurality of pins being affixed to, and extending from, said locking bar, each of said pins being adapted for passage through said keyhole slots when aligned with one another, and each of said pins having an enlarged head at the free end thereof.
 4. The tree stand according to claim 1 wherein each of said braces is provided with a socket in the top thereof and each of said decking plates has a pin for insertion into said socket.
 5. The tree stand according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of handrail members being releasably attached to said decking plates. 